Judy Green Faces Ethics Committee Thursday

Louisville Metro Council President Jim King said he expects the ethics commission will look into claims Councilwoman Judy Green asked leaders of a nonprofit group to request more money than they needed so she could redirect some of those funds.

These new charges come after members of Green's staff told police she took bribes from business owners and that she and her husband ran up huge credit card debt using one staff member's name.

WLKY News has obtained documents containing interviews with those who worked with Green.

A tearful Green defended herself to WLKY News in December after a Metro audit questioned her use of public funds.

?No, I haven't done anything wrong,? Green said.

The audit found her relatives were hired for a clean-up crew called the Green Clean Team.

The audit followed an extensive investigation by the Metro Police Department's public integrity unit.

This investigation did not produce criminal charges, so the documents have been released to the public. The investigation included interviewing one of Green's employees in her council office, Andrea Jackson, about a credit card she discovered on Green's desk with Jackson's name on it.

Officer: Is that something you authorized her to do?

Jackson: No.

Officer: And what about, was there any balance on that card?

Jackson: Sure.

Officer: And what happened with the balance on that card?

Jackson: Well, they're supposed to be paying it off.

Officer: How much, how much money are we talking about?

Jackson: Um, 25,000.

According to the police report, officers didn't charge Green with identity theft because Jackson was a silent partner in the councilwoman's husband's now-defunct auto business, which is why the bank issued the card, Jackson said, unknown to her, with her name on it.

Almost a year ago, businesses selling alcohol in Green's district were facing possible closure due to a wet/dry vote.

?My main concern is for the businesses that are already here,? Green said at the time.

Former Green staffer Melody Hill told police the councilwoman changed her position on curtailing liquor sales in her district and she told police the reason was Green was taking cash bribes from business owners.

That charge was confirmed by Jackson, who still works in Green's office.

Officer: Did she tell you he gave her any cash that day?

Jackson: She told me, she told me he did.

A special prosecutor looked at the case and determined no criminal charges should be filed.

The owner of the liquor store mentioned in the documents referred WLKY News to his attorney, who declined to comment.